The NSA currently has opportunities for highly motivated Mechanical Design Engineers to support design, analysis and fabrication of mechanical hardware and equipment in response to limited quantity, short-duration, prototype requirements. As a Mechanical Design Engineer at NSA, responsibilities may include: - Design custom parts, mechanisms and equipment. - Perform engineering calculations. - Analyze problems to determine technical solutions. - Decide what procedures will be required to solve technical problems. - Develop conceptual designs or models to address requirements. - Use modeling or simulation software to evaluate designs. - Perform engineering analyses and testing of products/parts/equipment. - Use Computer Aided Design (CAD) software and Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) (thermal/stress/vibration analysis tools) to produce design drawings and to validate and support engineering design activities. - Identify new and existing products, technologies, and/or manufacturing techniques to solve design, development, and operational problems. - Develop engineering test plans to evaluate designs in real-world environment prior to operational use. - Modify or adapt products, services, and support to meet customer needs. - Provide timely and accurate responses to customer requests for assistance, information, products, or services. - Work with customers to clarify their needs and to determine how their needs can be met expeditiously. - Work on teams with engineers and fabricators of various disciplines and levels to meet customer mission needs. Work is in a very fast paced office which requires employees to work on multiple projects simultaneously with quick turn-around schedules. When submitting your application, please ensure that you fully populate all sections of the resume tool with all relevant skills, experience, and education, as the resume entered into the tool will be the primary resume used to evaluate your application. Please do NOT populate the resume tool with 'see resume.' Please attach an unofficial copy of your transcripts from all schools attended when applying for this position. Providing a copy of your transcripts is especially critical to ensure the position's coursework obligations have been met.

Job Summary

As an Engineering and Physical Science professional, you will use your skills to create the systems and tools that will be used to enhance the operation of intelligence. You will advise, administer and perform scientific projects, such as planning, designing, and constructing specialized equipment, and ensuring adherence to sound engineering and scientific standards and principles. The NSA offers multiple areas of focus for facilities engineers, including computer, architectural, electrical, mechanical, and structural. In addition, we are seeking skills that include computer design, microelectronics, radio frequency design, and systems engineering. Apply your science and engineering skills to protect the nation. When submitting your application, please ensure that you fully populate all sections of the resume tool with all relevant skills, experience, and education, as the resume entered into the tool will be the primary resume used to evaluate your application. Please do NOT populate the resume tool with 'see resume.' Please attach an unofficial copy of your transcripts from all schools attended when applying for this position. Providing a copy of your transcripts is especially critical to ensure the position's coursework obligations have been met.

Qualifications

The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position. For all listed degrees, if program is not ABET accredited, it must include specified coursework.* *Specified coursework includes courses in differential and integral calculus and 5 of the following 18 areas: (a) statics or dynamics, (b) strength of materials/stress-strain relationships, (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics, (d) thermodynamics, (e) electromagnetic fields, (f) nature and properties of materials/relating particle and aggregate structure to properties, (g) solid state electronics, (h) microprocessor applications, (i), computer systems, (j) signal processing, (k) digital design, (l) systems and control theory, (m) circuits or generalized circuits, (n) communication systems, (o) power systems, (p) computer networks, (q) software development, (r) Any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, or soil mechanics. ENTRY/DEVELOPMENTAL With an Engineering degree, entry is with a Bachelor's degree and no experience OR With a degree in a relevant professional technical field (for example physics, electronics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, geology), entry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 1 year of relevant experience. Relevant experience must be working in a mechanical design engineering capacity (for example, using 2D or 3D CAD tools, prototyping process, thermal design and ventilation, tolerancing, properties/mechanics of materials, heat transfer, release agents, electronics, weight transfer, metallurgy, Industrial Control Systems (ICS)). FULL PERFORMANCE With a degree in Engineering, entry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 3 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 1 year of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree and no experience. OR With a degree in a relevant professional technical field (for example physics, electronics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, geology), entry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 3 years of relevant experience, or a Master's or Doctoral degree plus 1 year of relevant experience. Relevant experience must be working in a mechanical design engineering capacity (for example, using 2D or 3D CAD tools, rapid prototyping machines, thermal design, tolerancing, or properties of materials, metallurgy, Industrial Control Systems (ICS)).

Competencies

The ideal candidate is extremely creative and has a desire for continual learning, along with excellent problem solving, analytic, and interpersonal skills. Customer service skills are a must. Additional knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas is desired: - Concepts, theories, and methods for designing and analyzing mechanical systems, structural assemblies, components, accessories, mechanisms and tools. - Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools to analyze designs and provide operational solutions. - Additive Manufacturing, 3D Printing, and Rapid Prototyping technologies - Injection Mold Design and Manufacturing. - Composite Mold Design and Ply Schedule Optimization. - Material identification and selection (plastics, composites and/or metals) - Mechanical Reverse Engineering techniques and Metrology When submitting your application, please ensure that you fully populate all sections of the resume tool with all relevant skills, experience, and education, as the resume entered into the tool will be the primary resume used to evaluate your application. Please do NOT populate the resume tool with 'see resume.' Please attach an unofficial copy of your transcripts from all schools attended when applying for this position. Providing a copy of your transcripts is especially critical to ensure the position's coursework obligations have been met.

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

Pay: Salary offers are based on candidates' education level and years of experience relevant to the position and also take into account information provided by the hiring manager/organization regarding the work level for the position. Salary Range: $87,362 - $153,082 (Entry/Developmental, Full Performance) Salary range varies by location, work level, and relevant experience to the position. Training will be provided based on the selectee's needs and experience. Benefits: NSA offers a comprehensive benefits package. Work Schedule: This is a full-time position, Monday - Friday, with basic 8hr/day work requirement between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (flexible). DCIPS Trial Period: If selected for this position, you will be required to serve a two-year DCIPS trial period, unless you are a veterans' preference-eligible employee, in which case you are required to serve a one-year trial period. This trial period runs concurrently with your commitment to the position, if applicable. Before finalizing your appointment at the conclusion of your trial period, NSA will determine whether your continued employment advances the public interest. This decision will be based on factors such as your performance and conduct; the Agency's needs and interests; whether your continued employment would advance the Agency's organizational goals; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. If you do not receive certification for continued employment, you should receive written notice prior to the end of your trial period that your employment will be terminated and the effective date of such termination.

How to apply

Apply soonest, as job postings can close earlier than stated end dates due to changes in requirements. It is important to review and note the minimum qualifications, as only those applicants who meet the required qualifications will be contacted to continue the employment process. Please populate the resume tool to showcase any relevant work experience and education related to the position and answer any applicable screening questions. Information collected will be used to determine eligibility, and failure to provide accurate information may result in disqualification for this position. A confirmation email will be sent after submission of the first application and also after any future updates to submitted applications. **Due to time sensitive communications regarding applications, please ensure your spam filters are configured to accept email from noreply@intelligencecareers.gov. For job vacancies that include stated testing requirements, also include the following: @uwe.nsa.gov, @nsa.gov, and @pearson.com** U.S. Citizenship is required for all applicants. NSA is an equal opportunity employer and abides by applicable employment laws and regulations. All applicants and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with Executive Order 12564. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a security background investigation and polygraph. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to applicants with disabilities during the application and hiring process where appropriate.
The following four narrative questions provide an opportunity for you to highlight your dedication to public service for the hiring manager and agency leadership (or designee(s)). While your responses are not required and will not be scored, we encourage you to thoughtfully address each question. Please provide a response of 200 words or less to each question. You will be asked to certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) such as a large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT or Copilot. (Please attach in application) 1. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience. 2. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes. 3. How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you, and explain how you would help implement them if hired. 4. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples, and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.

DCIPS Disclaimer

**VETERANS AND TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBERS** Thank you for your service! The National Security Agency (NSA) is part of the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions at NSA are in the Excepted Service under Title 10, United States Codes (U.S.C.), Section 1601 appointment authority. Veterans' Preference In accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, "DoD Civilian Personnel Management System: Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System Employment and Placement," NSA applies veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5, U.S.C., to eligible candidates. If you are claiming veterans' preference, you are required to provide acceptable documentation of your preference eligibility upon application. Acceptable documentation includes: - DD-214: "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions (Copy 4); OR - Certification of Service: A written document on letterhead from the appropriate branch of the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed. The certification should include the military service dates, including the expected discharge or release date; AND - Standard Form 15 (SF-15) Application for 10-point Veteran Preference (http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf). If you are claiming a service-connected disability of 30 percent or more, the documentation you provide must specifically demonstrate this level of disability; AND - VA Letter of Disability (for 10pt and Sole Survivorship rating) You may obtain a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs reflecting your level of disability for preference eligibility by visiting a VA Regional Office, contacting a VA call center, or online (https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/). **Failure to provide sufficient documentation of veterans' preference eligibility may preclude NSA from identifying you as a preference eligible candidate during the hiring selection process.

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Mechanical Design Engineer